StarTech.com PEX2PCI4 User manual

PCI Expansion Bay
PEX2PCI4

FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turn-
ing the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.•
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.•
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver•
is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.•
Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and Symbols
This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other protected
names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to StarTech.com.
Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent an
endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an endorsement of the product(s)
to which this manual applies by the third-party company in question. Regardless of any direct
acknowledgement elsewhere in the body of this document, StarTech.com hereby acknowl-
edges that all trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and other protected names
and/or symbols contained in this manual and related documents are the property of their
respective holders.

Instruction Manual
i
Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................... 1
Features ......................................................................................1
Package Contents .......................................................................1
Installation...................................................................................... 2
Using the PCI Express Adapter (typical) ....................................2
Using the ExpressCard Host Adapter Card ................................4
Software Installation ....................................................................5
Specifications ................................................................................ 7
EC2PCI (optional)........................................................................7
Accessory Products from StarTech.com .................................... 8
Technical Support ......................................................................... 9
Warranty Information .................................................................... 9

Instruction Manual
1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com PCI Express to Four Slot PCI
Expansion Bay. This product allows you to add PCI expandability to your
computer, using an available PCI Express or ExpressCard* slot, helping
to bridge the gap between older PCI expansion cards and motherboards
with newer interface capabilities.
Features
Supports 1x 2.5Gb/s PCI Express Data Transfer Rates•
IPCI Slots are fully PCI Bus Rev. 2.3 Compliant•
Supports both 5V and 3.3V Add-in Cards•
Supports Windows 2000/2003/XP/ Vista™•
Package Contents
1 x PCI Expansion Bay•
1 x PCI Express Card•
1 x DVI Cable•
1 x Power Adapter•
1 x Instruction Manual•
1 x Driver CD•
1 x Instruction Manual•
1 x Screw Kit•
Accessories
*Please note that PEX2PCI4 can be connected to a host computer Ex-
pressCard port, using the EC2PCI ExpressCard to PCI adapter, in place
of the PCI Express Card adapter that is packaged with PEX2PCI4.
As such, if you wish to connect to the PEX2PCI4 using an ExpressCard
connection, EC2PCI is a required accessory.

Instruction Manual
2
Installation
Using the PCI Express Adapter (typical)
The following diagram is a visual depiction of the instructions on the fol-
lowing page, which account for typical installation of the PEX2PCI4 using
the (included) PCI Express Adapter Card.
For details on how to install PEX2PCI4 using the optional (not included)
ExpressCard adapter in place of the PCI Express adapter, please refer to
the the section titled Using the ExpressCard Adapter
WARNING: PEX2PCI4 uses a DVI interface to connect the the PCI
Express and PCI components. When connecting the PCI expansion
board to the PCI Express card, please ensure that the DVI port provided
by PEX2PCI4 is not confused with a DVI port provided by the computer
video card, as this could damage the video card, as well as the PCI
Express expansion card and PCI expansion slot board.
1-5
6
8

Instruction Manual
3
Turn OFF the computer power before installation, and remove the1.
chassis cover from the computer. Similarly, ensure the PEX2PCI4 is
not powered at this time.
Since both the PC system and the Expansion Box are self-powered,
you need to follow the correct ON/OFF sequence as follows:
Power Off Sequence: Power off your PC system, then the Expansion
Box
Power On Sequence: Power on the Expansion Box first, then power
on your PC system.
Locate an unused PCI Express slot and remove the corresponding slot2.
cover from rear panel of the computer chassis. Retain the screw (if
applicable) used to hold the slot cover in place.
Align the PCI Express card with the unused PCI Express expansion3.
slot. Applying pressure evenly across the top edge of the expansion
card, firmly but gently insert the card into the slot, ensuring that the
card is properly aligned with the rear panel slot.
Secure the card to the motherboard and rear chassis, using the screw4.
removed in step 2.
Replace the chassis cover (removed in step 1).5.
Connect the included DVI-like* cable to the DVI-like port provided by6.
the newly installed PCI Express card. Attach the remaining DVI-like
connector provided by the cable to the PCI Expansion Bay DVI port.
Open the top cover of the PEX2PCI4 Expansion Box by removing the7.
screws.
There are four PCI slots in the Expansion Box. Find an unused slot,
remove the “blank” PCI card bracket that was pre-installed from the
factory.
Insert the PCI card(s) you wish to install, into the available PCI slots,
then replace the top cover of the Expansion Box.
Connect the AC Power Adapter to the power port (situated to the left8.
of the DVI-like input) on the rear panel of the PEX2PCI4 main unit.

Instruction Manual
4
Turn on the Expansion Box power using the power switch next to the9.
Expansion Cable, then power on the PC system.
Once the Expansion Box has successfully been connected to the10.
host computer, proceed to the section titled Software Installation.
Using the ExpressCard Host Adapter Card
The following diagram is a visual depiction of the instructions on the
following page, which account for installation of the PEX2PCI4 using the
(accessory) EC2PCI ExpressCard Adapter (must be purchased sepa-
rately).
Turn OFF the computer power before installation. Since both the PC1.
system and the Expansion Box are self-powered, you need to follow
2
3
6
4

Instruction Manual
5
the correct ON/OFF sequence as follows:
Power Off Sequence: Power off your PC system, then the Expansion
Box
Power On Sequence: Power on the Expansion Box first, then power
on your PC system.
Open the top cover of the PEX2PCI4 Expansion Box by removing the2.
screws.
There are four PCI slots in the Expansion Box. Find an unused slot,
remove the “blank” PCI card bracket that was pre-installed from the
factory.
Insert the PCI card(s) you wish to install, into the available PCI slots,
then replace the top cover of the Expansion Box.
Connect the DVI-like* connector on the EC2PCI ExpressCard Host3.
Adapter Card to the DVI-like port on the rear panel of the PEX2PCI4
Expansion Box.
Connect the AC Power Adapter to the power port (situated to the left4.
of the DVI-like input) on the rear panel of the PEX2PCI4 main unit.
Turn on the Expansion Box power using the power switch next to the5.
Expansion Cable, then power on the PC system
Connect the remaining end of the EC2PCI ExpressCard Host Adapter6.
Card into the unused ExpressCard expansion slot of the host
computer, then power on the host computer.
Software Installation
If you find the write performance of your PCI Card is not as desired,
*NOTE: When performing this step, please ensure that the DVI port
provided by the PCI Express expansion card is not confused with a DVI
port provided by the computer video card, as this could damage the video
card, as well as the PCI Express expansion card and PCI expansion slot
board.

Instruction Manual
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please install the ExpressBooster software supplied with your card.
Locate the1. Setup.exe file found on the driver CD. Assuming that E: is
the designation for your CD/DVD-ROM drive, double-click on E:\Utility\
ExpressBooster to launch the setup program.
Follow the setup on-screen instructions; ensure that there is a2.
checkmark next to PCI Express Card for Desktops/Servers only (leave
the “ExpressCard” item un-checked). Proceed with any further on-
screen instructions to complete the installation.

Instruction Manual
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Specications
EC2PCI (optional)
Bus Type PCI
Connectors PCI Expansion Box:
1 x DVI D (dual link) Female Connector
PCI Express Card:
1 x DVI D (dual link) female connector
Form Factor PCI Express (x1)
Power Adapter 1 x 12V DC, 3 Amp
OS Support Windows 2000/2003/XP/ Vista
Regulatory Certifications CE, FCC, ROHS
Bus Type ExpressCard
Connectors 1x DVI D Male Connector
1x ExpressCard Connector
OS Support Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/ Mac OS X
and up
Regulatory Certifications CE, FCC, ROHS